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Tuesday, April 11, 2017

I've been trying so hard to get back into reading again. I love reading so much but real life just keeps getting in my way! I downloaded a free trial of Audible last month so I "read" one book that way (and I'm still not sold on the whole audio book thing) and then I was traveling for work last week so I got in one book and two half books ;) So, today, I thought I would link up with Steph and Jana to share my thoughts and get back into this blogging groove, too.

Truly, Madly, Guilty by Liane Moriarty

I was inspired to download this because of Big Little Lies coming on HBO. I decided I didn't want to read it because I was too hooked on the show. I still may read it, though, now that I've watched the show. I've also read The Husband's Secret a few years ago so I knew I liked the author pretty well.

I found this book a little harder to listen to because of all the POV changes. Each chapter is a different person's viewpoint of either present day or "the day of the barbecue". Essentially, something big happens at a neighborhood barbecue and each person is dealing with the ramifications in different ways. On top of that, there are interesting relationships between all of the characters prior to the barbecue that are also being dealt with.

Final thoughts: A good read that will keep you guessing, but drags on for awhile before you find out what the big event is they're all reeling from which got a little annoying.

Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris

I like a good psychological thriller so that's what I was looking for before leaving on my trip and had seen this one pop up a few places. Like, Liane's book, it also switched back and forth from present day to about a year and a half prior. As the book goes on, the timelines meet for climax of the book. I liked the way this one was structured in tat respect, but WOW this book is so heavy.

Slight spoiler but I don't want to give it all away: it deals very heavily with abuse and the antagonist is a very twisted person - it's not a typical situation. I was very interested in the beginning, but towards the middle, I almost put it down because it made me uncomfortable. But, I hate not finishing a book and I was hoping for a positive ending so I kept reading. I wouldn't say the ending is "good" but it ties up the book nicely.

Final thoughts: Don't pick this up if you want a happy, easy book. It is heavy and very hard to read but written very well.

Uganda Be Kidding Me by Chelsea Handler

I'm going to be honest, I'm not totally done with this book, but I'm close. And I've read all her other books, so I kind of know how this goes. I find Chelsea to be absolutely hilarious. I also wonder if her books really are true. I don't know how one person can drink so much and still function, LOL. But, she's got a funny way of writing and I have laughed out loud quite a few times while reading it. It was definitely good to break up Behind Closed Doors with this one on the plane.

Final Thoughts: A good vacation read.

I've already got 3 more books downloaded on my tablet and one I'm listening to on Audible so hopefully I'll be back next month with some more books!

Tuesday, April 4, 2017

You would think that since I'm from Athens, GA, I would have been to Atlanta a lot. And I've definitely been a few times, but not as an adult. I went once as a freshman in college, but that was for a Braves game and a tour of the World of Coke (okay, okay, we went to WOC this trip, too).

My friend, Maggie (and her husband Derek), recently moved back to the South after a stint in Boston. Sadly, we never made it to Boston to visit but I am SO glad to have her back in driving distance. They were having a housewarming party Saturday night, so we knew it was the right weekend to go down there.

They live in the midtown area so we were able to walk to almost every place we went to. And let me tell you, I am so jealous of all the yummy food they have in walking distance! Every place we ate was SO good so I've got to share them with you!

I was quite hungry when we got in Friday night so I don't have a picture of my tacos from this place, but wow it was good. It was also very reasonably priced which is always a bonus. We ordered a pitcher of beer for the table and the waitress brought us about 85% of a pitcher and then said "hold on, this isn't enough, be right back" before bringing us basically another full pitcher. Talk about good service ;)

Java Jive- Cream cheese, tomato and avocado egg scramble, home fries and the best biscuit ever.

Ponce City Market - Hops Chicken - Chicken biscuit and mac and cheese
This place was so cool. It's an old Sears warehouse that they turned into a shopping and dining destination. When you walk in, it's a huge food hall with SO many different types of restaurats (and no chains). There's Chinese, Korean barbecue, fried chicken, Cuban, seafood, and so many more. We got Hops Chicken and it was seriously delicious. Christian and I both had chicken biscuits and there were definitely in the running for best biscuits and the mac and cheese was definitely one of my favorites.

And of course, we did the touristy things, too: World of Coke and the Georgia Aquarium. Since I work for Coke, I was able to get in free and get them discounted tickets so it was a no brainer! Also, I'm oddly obsessed with Coca Cola and the entire brand so I was in heaven the entire day.

After the World of Coke and getting stomach aches from all the taste testing, Christian and I headed to the aquiarium while Maggie and Derek prepped for the party. And by that, I mean Maggie made like 200 jello shots ;)

After we did the touristy things, we headed back to Maggie and Derek's apartment and their friends came over for burgers, drinks and Jell-o shots. We also ended the night at a 90's alt/80's rock karaoke bar with a live band. And, of course, Maggie got up there to sing "I Want You to Want Me" and it was awesome. We all woke up a little hoarse after screaming/singing all night.

I'm definitely happy to have them back in driving distance so we can have more weekends like this! Next up, their trip to Charlotte!